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GCSE Macbeth Workbook
GCSE Macbeth Workbook
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Answers
I. Multiple Choice Questions
Act 1, Scene 1
5. What is Graymalkin?
6. What is Paddock?
(c) a toad.
10. The witches often say things repeated but in inverse order such as “fair is foul and foul is fair”. What is this technique
called?
(b) Chiasmus.
Act 1, Scene 2
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13. Which country, helped by the traitor the Thane of Cawdor, attacks Scotland?
(a) Norway.
14. What does “unseam'd him from the nave to the chaps” mean?
(c) sliced him from his navel to his jaw.
Act 1, Scene 3
22. When the First Witch tells her story, what angered her about the woman?
(b) She would not give her chestnuts.
26. How does Banquo react to the witches’ hailing Macbeth as Cawdor and one who will be king?
(b) He questions why Macbeth seems to fear it.
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27. What do the witches prophecy for Banquo?
(c) That his sons will be kings.
29. When Macbeth learns the truth of the witches’ prophecies, what does Banquo caution him about?
(d) Being easily tricked by being told small truths which leads to later betrayal causing deeper harm.
30. What does Macbeth decide to do towards the end of this scene?
(a) Nothing – he feels that he will let things take their course.
Act 1, Scene 4
32. What does Duncan mean by saying “There's no art/To find the mind's construction in the face”?
(b) There’s no way of being able to tell what someone is thinking and if they are honest by their face.
37. What does Macbeth mean by saying that he must “o’erleap” the Prince of Cumberland?
(b) Somehow get around not being the heir to become king.
38. Complete this line: “Stars, hide your fires;/Let not light see my _______________”?
(d) black and deep desires.
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Act 1, Scene 5
43. What does Lady Macbeth worry about Macbeth after learning of his encounter with the witches?
(b) That he is too nice to commit murder.
44. What does Lady Macbeth mean when she asks the “spirits” to “unsex” her?
(a) She wants to lose any feelings of femininity which might stop her from their plan.
45. Lady Macbeth refers to “milk” several times in the play and this scene, what literary term can we use for this?
(d) Motif.
46. Lady Macbeth refers to ‘the raven’. What is this not potentially symbolic of?
(d) Flying.
47. When Macbeth says that Duncan will leave “To-morrow, as he purposes”, what might it reveal about Macbeth’s plan?
(a) He doesn’t have one.
48. Complete this line: “look like the innocent flower,/But be the __________.”
(b) serpent under’t.
50. Lady Macbeth dominates the conversation and decides the course of action in this scene, why might that be seen as
unusual by a Shakespearean audience?
(c) Because she subverts contemporary expectations that Jacobean women should be subservient.
52. Macbeth delivers a long speech on his own at the start of Act 1, Scene 7. What is this called?
(a) A soliloquy.
53. Macbeth finishes his speech with the metaphor: “I have no spur / To prick the sides of my intent, but only / Vaulting
ambition, which o'erleaps itself / And falls on the other.” What does this mean?
(b) I have no strong reason for wanting to kill Duncan except my own ambition which will probably result in things going
terribly wrong.
54. After Macbeth’s speech, Lady Macbeth arrives and talks to Macbeth. He seems to have made a decision about killing
Duncan. What does he say?
(d) We will proceed no further in this business
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55. In order to get him to do what she wants, Lady Macbeth implies Macbeth is what?
(b) A coward.
56. Lady Macbeth continues to convince Macbeth by saying “When you durst do it, then you were a man”. What is she
doing here?
(a) Implying that it is manly to be daring.
57. Lady Macbeth uses a brutal and shocking image to illustrate how she would carry out an action if she said she would.
What is it?
(a) That she would dash the brains out of her own child.
59. What does Lady Macbeth suggest that they should do when others discover Duncan’s murder.
(b) Be very vocally grief-stricken.
60. At the end of this scene, Macbeth says: Away, and mock the time with fairest show: / False face must hide what the
false heart doth know.” There is a rhyme in these two lines which tends to show a greater sense of certainty or at least
shows that his thoughts have been concluded. What is it called when two lines rhyme together like this?
(c) A couplet.
Act 2, Scene 1
64. What is Macbeth implying by saying: “If you shall cleave to my consent, when 'tis, / It shall make honour for you.”?
(b) If you ally yourself with me then it will go well for you.
70. Off-stage immediately following this scene, what significant event happens?
(a) Duncan is murdered by Macbeth.
Act 2, Scene 2
72. What reason does Lady Macbeth give for not killing Duncan herself?
(c) He resembled her father as he slept.
75. Macbeth thought he heard a voice cry out, what did he think it told him?
(a) That he will sleep no more.
77. Macbeth exaggerates how much blood is on his hands, how does he do this?
(a) By saying that even if he washed his hands in the oceans they would all turn red with the blood.
78. Lady Macbeth says “A little water clears us of this deed”. In terms of devices, we can say this is in ______ ________
with Macbeth’s reactions.
(c) dramatic contrast
79. Complete this line: “My hands are of your colour; but I shame / To wear a _________”?
(b) heart so white.
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Act 2, Scene 3
81. The Porter talks about equivocation and the person arriving being an equivocator, what does he mean by this word?
(b) Someone who speaks ambiguously or doesn’t tell the whole truth.
86. Whilst Macbeth is explaining himself to Macduff, Lady Macbeth does something quite possibly to distract everyone.
What is it?
(b) She faints.
88. Towards the end of this scene, what do Malcolm and Donalbain decide to do?
(a) Run away.
89. Donalbain says: “There's daggers in men's smiles”. Which explanation of this is most accurate?
(b) It is a metaphor which implies that there are hidden threats from people pretending to be friends.
Act 2, Scene 4
93. The Old Man says unnatural things have happened recently. What is one of the examples he gives?
(b) A falcon was killed by a mousing owl.
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94. What happened to Duncan’s horses?
(c) They ate each other.
95. Who does Macduff say is being reported as arranging Duncan’s murder?
(c) Malcolm and Donalbain.
99. Which adjective is the least accurate in describing Macduff’s comments in this scene?
(d) Joyful.
100. In some respects, this scene is intended to illustrate how the Chain of Being has been disrupted. What is the Chain of
Being?
(a) The idea that everyone belongs in a hierarchical order with the King below God near the top and that removing link
causes chaos and destruction across the whole chain both in nature and society.
Act 3, Scene 1
104. What does Macbeth mean when he says: “Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown, / And put a barren sceptre in
my gripe”
(b) That he doesn’t have any children who will inherit the throne from him.
105. Complete this line: “For Banquo's issue have I ____ ___ _____”
(a) filed my mind
106. What does Macbeth mean by saying: “mine eternal jewel / Given to the common enemy of man”?
(b) He has given his soul to Satan.
107. When Macbeth is talking to the First Murderer he claims that Banquo did what?
(d) Prevented the murderer from gaining fortune.
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108. Why doesn’t Macbeth openly order Banquo’s execution?
(b) Because he worries that other lords would no longer support Macbeth’s position.
Act 3, Scene 2
111. What’s the missing word here: “We have scotch'd the ______, not kill'd it”?
(a) snake
112. What does Macbeth reveal that both himself and Lady Macbeth are suffering from?
(c) Terrible dreams.
113. What’s the missing word here: “O, full of _______ is my mind, dear wife!”?
(b) scorpions
114. We see quite a different side to Lady Macbeth in Act 3, Scene 2. Which describes this different side to her most
accurately.
(c) She seems more concerned and restrained.
115. When Lady Macbeth asks Macbeth “What’s to be done?”, how does he respond?
(b) He does not openly tell her about the plan to kill Banquo but heavily implies it.
116. How many murderers are sent after Banquo and Fleance?
(b) 3.
118. When the murderers attack, what does Banquo tell Fleance to do?
(c) Flee and one day possibly get revenge.
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Act 3, Scene 4
122. What does Macbeth mean by saying: “There the grown serpent lies; the worm that's fled / Hath nature that in time
will venom breed”?
(b) Banquo is dead; Fleance has run away and will in time become a threat.
125. Complete this line: “Thou canst not say I did it: never shake / ____________.
(b) Thy gory locks at me.
126. What other supernatural experience does Lady Macbeth dismissively refer to Macbeth having experienced.
(c) The dagger that led him to Duncan.
127. What are these a series of: “Prithee, see there! behold! look! lo!”?
(a) Exclamative imperatives.
129. Complete this line: “It will have blood; they say, _____________”.
(a) blood will have blood
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134. Act 3, Scene 5 is often cut from productions of Macbeth. Which is not a valid reason as to why this is?
(c) The scene doesn’t make sense and is too long and complicated.
135. When Lennox says, “men must not walk too late”, what is he implying?
(a) That Scotland is becoming increasingly dangerous.
139. Macbeth is called a tyrant by Lennox and the Lord. What is this?
(d) A cruel and oppressive ruler.
Act 4, Scene 1
141. At the start of this scene, the witches are putting ingredients in a boiling cauldron. What is not one of these
ingredients?
(c) The wings of a bat.
142. The first apparition is an armed head, which one of the interpretations is not valid?
(d) It implies that Macbeth needs to put his armour on to protect himself.
144. The second apparition is a bloody child. Which interpretation is not valid?
(b) The child represents Malcolm.
148. After the three apparitions, Macbeth demands to be shown more. What does he see?
(d) A line of Banquo’s sons as kings.
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149. What does Macbeth mean when he says: “The very firstlings of my heart shall be
The firstlings of my hand.”?
(a) That when he wants to do something, he will do it immediately.
Act 4, Scene 2
151. How does Macduff’s wife feel about Macduff leaving for England?
(c) She is angry and worried that his running away will endanger them by making them look like traitors.
153. What does Lady Macduff tell her son about his father?
(a) That he is dead.
154. When her son asks if Macduff was a traitor, how does Lady Macduff respond?
(a) Ay, that he was.
156. Following Lady Macduff’s definition, what does the son say about traitors being hanged?
(b) That because there are more traitors than honest men, the traitors are foolish to let themselves be hanged and should
instead hang the honest men.
157. When Lady Macduff is informed that danger is approaching her, she says that she has done no harm but what does
she say after this?
(a) That in this world doing bad deeds can be celebrated whereas doing good things can be a mistake.
159. What happens to Lady Macduff and her son at the end of this scene?
(d) The son is murdered, Lady Macduff runs but is pursued and presumably killed.
Act 4, Scene 3
161. When Malcolm says: “To offer up a weak, poor, innocent lamb / T' appease an angry god.”, what does he mean?
(b) That Macduff might betray him to Macbeth.
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162. When Macduff says: “Bleed, bleed, poor country!” What device is this?
(d) Personification.
163. When Malcolm discusses his “confineless harms”, what is he appearing to do?
(a) Say that he would be a worse ruler than Macbeth.
164. What are the faults that Malcolm seems to admit to having?
(a) Being lustful, avaricious and incapable of being a just king.
167. When Macduff asks Ross after his wife and children, what is his initial response?
(b) He says that they are well.
168. When Macduff is told that his family have been murdered, what does Malcolm advise him to do?
(b) Take revenge on Macbeth to cure the pain.
169. Complete this line by Macduff in reference to Macbeth: “He has no _____”
(b) children.
Act 5, Scene 1
171. In this scene and according to the Gentlewoman’s reports, what has Lady Macbeth been doing?
(b) Sleepwalking.
172. What does the Gentlewoman say she has overheard Lady Macbeth say?
(c) Nothing – she refuses to say what she has heard.
173. What has Lady Macbeth ordered to always have with her?
(c) A Light.
174. What action does Lady Macbeth seem to do when she arrives in this scene?
(b) Wash her hands.
175. What is the missing word here: “Out, damned _____! Out, I say!”?
(a) spot
176. Who is likely to be the “old man” that Lady Macbeth refers to?
(d) Duncan.
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177. Lady Macbeth’s speech is disordered and disrupted and sharply contrasts with her high level of control over language
elsewhere in the play. In particular, the line: “The thane of Fife had a wife” uses internal rhyme which is both child-like and
obvious. In terms of literary devices what is this ‘bad poetry’ called?
(a) Doggerel.
179. In light of the Doctor saying: “infected minds / To their deaf pillows will discharge their secrets: / More needs she the
divine than the physician”, what is the least valid interpretation of this scene?
(b) It demonstrates the limitations of medicine at the time being unable to treat insomnia.
181. In Act 5, Scene 2, complete this line: “now does he feel his title / Hang loose about him, _________”
(d) like a giant's robe / Upon a dwarfish thief.
182. In Act 5, Scene 3, what does Macbeth say he does not want any more of?
(a) Reports from the field.
183. At the start of Act 5, Scene 3, following on from his meeting with the witches, what best describes Macbeth’s
attitude?
(a) Arrogant, foolhardy and reckless.
184. When the servant says there are 10,000. What does Macbeth question there are 10,000 of?
(b) Geese.
185. Macbeth calls for “Seyton”. His name sounds like ‘Satan’ which means that one of the last people to help Macbeth
(put on his armour) is linked to the devil. What is the most accurate literary description of this?
(b) The homophonic quality of “Seyton” solidifies Macbeth’s damned state.
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190. Towards the end of this scene but also at the start, what does Macbeth reassure himself with?
(b) The witches’ prophecies.
192. In Act 5, Scene 5, what does Macbeth say he had almost forgotten?
(b) What it felt like to fear anything.
194. In Macbeth’s “To-morrow” speech, many central themes and motifs in Macbeth are brought into focus. Which
thematic concept is not touched upon?
(c) The recurring motif of blood.
195. In Act 5, Scene 5, which aspect of the witches’ prophecy does Macbeth realise is being fulfilled?
(b) That he will never be defeated until Birnam wood comes to Dunsinane.
196. What does Macbeth mean when he says: “At least we'll die with harness on our back.”
(b) At least we’ll die with armour on (fighting).
197. In Act 5, Scene 7, despite realising that the prophecy is being fulfilled. What does Macbeth cling to?
(a) The idea that none of woman born can harm him.
199. In Act 5, Scene 7, what does Macduff say he will do during the battle?
(a) Only kill Macbeth and no-one else.
200. In Act 5, Scene 7, when Malcolm, Macduff and Siward enter the battle, what do they find?
(b) That there is little to do as Macbeth’s forces are switching sides.
201. What is Macbeth saying when he questions “Why should I play the Roman fool”?
(a) He is rejecting the idea that he would ever commit suicide like Roman generals did when their forces lost.
202. What does Macbeth mean by saying: “my soul is too much charged / With blood of thine already.”
(b) I have already killed too many of your family.
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203. What does Macduff reveal which fulfills the witches’ prophecy?
(a) That his mother underwent caesarean section and therefore he was not ‘born’.
204. Upon learning that the witches’ prophecies are complete. What does Macbeth do?
(a) He initially refuses to fight but after Macduff demands that he surrender, he refuses and so continues fighting.
205. In some stage directions for Macbeth, they indicate that Macbeth is killed on stage. In others, he exits the stage and
his death is not seen. Why might Shakespeare have not presented Macbeth’s death on stage?
(d) Despite his illegitimacy, like Duncan, he was still a king and it was considered unpalatable to depict the murder of a
king.
209. What does Malcolm say Lady Macbeth was thought to have done?
(d) Committed suicide.
5. What historical source material did Shakespeare draw upon for his play?
Holinshed’s Chronicles
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7. What is the crime of killing a king called?
Regicide
8. The King at the time of Shakespeare writing Macbeth wrote a book attacking witchcraft, what was it
called?
Daemonologie
10. What is contextually significant about Lady Macbeth’s advice to: “look like the innocent flower, / But
be the serpent under't.”
A flower with a serpent beneath it was the symbol placed on a commemorative medal/coin which
was made following the Gunpowder Plot.
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5. Who is Donalbain?
Duncan’s second son.
6. Who lets Macduff and Lennox into Macbeth’s castle following Duncan’s murder?
The Porter.
7. Which child is actually seen being killed by murderers under Macbeth’s direction?
Lady Macduff’s son.
8. Who is Edward?
The King of England.
9. Who tells Macbeth that his wife is dead?
Seyton.
10. Who is Malcolm’s uncle, the Earl of Northumberland?
Siward.
You may find that there are more answers to these questions than are provided below. Speak to your teacher if you are
uncertain.
2. Identify three parts of the play in which the motif of blood is used.
- 1. Lady Macbeth asking the spirits to make her blood “thick”.
2. The blood on the vision of the dagger Macbeth sees.
3. The blood on the daggers Macbeth brings from the Duncan’s chambers.
4. Macbeth being unable to wash blood from his hands following Duncan’s murder.
5. Macbeth’s references to Duncan’s silver skin being laced with blood.
6. Banquo’s blood being on the murderer’s face.
7. Banquo shaking his “gory locks”.
8. Macbeth referring to how “blood will have blood”
9. The witches using “baboon’s/sows blood” in the spell.
10. The “bloody child” apparition.
11. Lady Macbeth’s “Out, damned spot!” sleepwalking scene.
12. Macbeth’s soul being too much charged with Macduff’s blood.
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4. Macbeth kills Duncan.
5. Macbeth kills Duncan’s guards.
6. Macbeth arranges the murder of Banquo.
7. Macbeth orders the murder of Macduff’s wife and children.
8. Lady Macbeth commits suicide.
9. Macbeth kills Young Siward.
10. Macbeth is killed by Macduff.
10. Identify three parts of the play where the idea of masculinity is manipulated.
1. Lady Macbeth’s “unsex me” speech.
2. Lady Macbeth persuades Macbeth by telling him he will be “so much more the man” if he kills Duncan.
3. Macbeth criticises the status of the murderers as ‘men’.
4. Lady Macbeth questions Macbeth saying “Are you a man?” when he reacts to Banquo’s ghost.
5. Macduff is encouraged to “dispute it like a man” when being told his wife and children are dead – he says he “must
also feel it as a man”
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VII. Exam Style Questions
AQA Style
Mark Schemes:
AO4:
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Edexcel Style
SIMPLIFIED Mark Schemes:
Section A)
• Two points/paragraphs which describe the extract and says something about
Level 2 5-8 language, structure or form.
• Uses one or two terms like metaphor, simile contrast or juxtaposition
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Section B) Student Version:
Level Mark (20 marks) Descriptor Bullets 1, 2 and 3 – AO1 (15 marks), Bullet 4 – AO3 (5 marks)
0 No rewardable material.
Section A)
• The response is simple and the identification of language, form and structure is minimal.
Level 1 1-4
• Little evidence of relevant subject terminology.
• The response is largely descriptive. There is some comment on the language, form and
Level 2 5-8 structure.
• Limited use of relevant subject terminology to support examples given.
• The response shows an understanding of a range of language, form and structure features
Level 3 9-12 and links these to their effect on the reader.
• Relevant subject terminology is used to support examples given.
• The response is focused and detailed. Analysis of language, form and structure features and
Level 4 13-16 their effect on the reader is sustained.
• Relevant subject terminology is used accurately and appropriately to develop ideas.
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Section B)
Level Mark Descriptor Bullets 1, 2 and 3 – AO1 (15 marks), Bullet 4 – AO3 (5 marks)
0 No rewardable material.
Level 1 1-4 • The response is simple with little personal response.
• There is little evidence of a critical style.
• Little reference is made to the content or themes of the play.
• There is little awareness of context and little comment on the relationship between text
and context.
Level 2 5-8 • The response may be largely narrative but has some elements of personal response.
• There is some evidence of a critical style but it is not always applied securely.
• Some valid points are made, but without consistent or secure focus.
• There is some awareness of relevant context and some comment on the relationship
between text and context.
Level 3 9-12 • The response shows a relevant personal response, soundly related to the text.
• There is an appropriate critical style, with comments showing a sound interpretation.
• The response is relevant and focused points are made with support from the text.
• There is sound comment on relevant context and sound relevant comment on the
relationship between text and context.
Level 4 13-16 • The response has a developed personal response and thorough engagement, fully related
to the text.
• The critical style is sustained, and there is well-developed interpretation.
• Well-chosen references to the text support a range of effective points.
• There is sustained comment on relevant context and detailed awareness of the relationship
between text and context.
Level 5 17-20 • There is an assured personal response, showing a high level of engagement with the text.
• A critical style is developed with maturity, perceptive understanding and interpretation.
• Discerning references are an integral part of the response, with points made with
assurance and full support from the text.
• There is excellent understanding of context, and convincing understanding of the
relationship between text and context is integrated into the response.
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